Level/Grade for gravel patio area - advice needed

Why not just pour concrete?

Weeds are going to grow in the rocks and you’ll have rocks in the yard. Probably have to re-level constantly too.

you’d be better off with pervious pavers…remove the sod and put a layer of 10ml plastic down, then clean mason sand (compacted) then the pavers then sweep more sand into the joints. It will go much easier for you if you set a wood form first to constrain the sand and square up the pavers, remove the form when you are done

Any issues with weed control? I was thinking of putting down lawn cloth between the crushed rock/sand layers.

I did a walk way for my trash cans that goes through my gate. Gets the job done, nothing special. I excavated down about four inches, landscaping fabric and then put paver base then sand before putting stepping stones and filling in around stepping stones with gravel. If you call your local nursery or landscaping supply, they can probably talk you through it and deliver materials for a fee.

Be forewarned, this is not easy work. I would wait for the fall unless you woke early or in the evenings. Also, when you remove the dirt make sure you have a plan for where it will go because you’re displacing a lot more than you’d think.

The premium base material is decomposed granite. It compacts REALLY well and holds its shape as the base material. It's pretty expensive usually.

3/8" minus flex limestone base is a good second. I'd honestly go this route.

I've used both materials recently and decomposed granite was $70 a yard, and 3/8" minus was $18. You really want a good thicker base, like 2 or 3 inches. Possibly 4.

Just eyeballing the size there at 30X15, at 4" thick, you'd need 5.5 yards. Like someone else said, might wait for a little cooler weather, if you can be patient.

Lastly, as far as the rock material between the pavers, I suggest going with minimal spacing. Those rocks get kicked up onto the pavers and it's pretty uncomfortable on your feet when you step on them.

I helped my folks with one at their house. We dug down enough to have almost 6” of gravel followed by 2” of sand and then leveled for pavers. Didn’t have a gap between like you show. I was just out of college and it took a week or so digging after work.

We rented a compactor for the gravel part.

My parents moved a few years later. :eye roll: and I’m sure the patio is still going strong.

Ahh yes, I forgot to mention the compacting. You can rent a plate compactor for $100 or maybe $200, but it's well worth it. Or you can buy a hand tamper plate and get a workout. . . It will be quite a workout. Apply an inch of base, wet it down just slightly, then tamp the entire area down. Apply another inch, tamp, until you get it the right height. A plate compactor applies the same force as the hand tamper at an exponential rate and does a much better job.